Automobile signal



Feb. 13, 1923. 4 C, L. MULDER AUTOMOBILE ,SIGNAL Filed July 22, 1922 Patented ll eb. 13 i923.

lh l llliditt d AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

Application filed July 22, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, CLARENCE L. Murmur, a citizen of the Uniter States, and resident of lulilwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Signals; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

The invention relates to a signal aflixed to the rear of an automobile operative to indicate the slowing up or stopping of the car.

It comprises a stop sign plate pivotally supported in a suitable place in the rear of the automobile, and a wire running there-- from to a brcke pedal, whereby on the depression of the brake, the sign is lifted into position to reveal the word Stop.

It is the object of the invention to provide a structure of especial simplicity, easy to manufacture, cheap, made up of a minimum. number of parts, and du able. In the daytime, it is operative without the use of electric current, and at night, its use results in no additional expenditure of current as it 18 adapted to be illuminated by the ordinary tail-light. Its visibility is increased by the reflection of the light thrown by cars fol lowing the machine on which the device is installed. A chief operative part is a strong piece of wire, so that there is nothing to wear or get out of order. It may be in stalled by anyone in. a few minutes, not necessitating the attention of an electrician or skilled hand.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangemei'it of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claim, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the heroin disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claim.

in the accompanying drawing, is illus trated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof.

Figure 1 shows, in side elevation, the device applied to a fender and brings out its operativeness diagrammatically.

Serial No. 578,723.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the sign plate inoperative position.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure is a section on the line of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a rear view showing the invention applied in a different place from that illustrated in Figure 1.

Support 10 is made of thin metal and is bent angularly to form a securing portion 11, which, by screw 12, is adapted to be aflixed to a fender 13. The support has a flat upper surface, from which two fingers 14+?! extend rearwardly, the metal immediately adjacent the fingers 1ll l being formed into narrow bands and bent upwardly, forming bearings 1515 for pivot rod 16. Sign plate 17 is substantially rectangular. At its lower edge it is bent to form grips enveloping pivot rod 1.6. Between the grips, the metal is bent reainvardly at 18, then downwardly at 19, providing a strip :20 adapted to contact with support 10 and limit the pivotal movement of sign plate 1'7. A helical spring 21 is coiled on red 16, one end contacting with the upper surface of support 10, and the other in engagement with the sign plate, tending to move the plate to the position shown in Figure 1. The sign plate has the word Stop suitably inscribed thereon, the color of the back ground being made such as to accentuaie the visibility of the word. Rod 16 extends upwardly on one side of the plate, and is gripped by a finger 22 outwardly extending therefrom. llt is deflected downwardly and passed into an eye 24; which grips that portion of the rod which is immediately below the finger 22. A wire 25 is secured at one end to eye 23, and the other to a spring 26, from which wire 27 leads to a etainer from which wire 29 extends to band 30, gripping the brake lever 31 immediately beneath the pedal From retainer 2", wre is directed thru an eyelet 3.4 on the cowl 35, whence it extends up wardly thru an eyelet 36 on the dash 37, a ring 38 being secured. to its end. Obviously on the depression of brake lever 3 wires 2? and 25 are operative to swing sign plate 17 into the position shown in Fig ure 2, where it will be visible for signalling purposes. The invention is not limited to the specific application to a brake lever, but

may be applied to a clutch or operated. in any suitable manner. Ring 38 is provided for the convenient manual manipulation of the device. Spring 26 may be dispensed with, if desired, the Wire being given sufii cient slack to prevent itr'rom restricting the depression of the brake pedal. Support 10 need not necessarily be a'ifixed to the rear fender 13, but may be located in any suitable place. In Figure 5 is illustrated a very desirable location, the light 39 being immediately adjacent and providing light rendering the sign clearly visible.

It is obvious that the device may be readily installed. There is no possibility of its getting out of order and its operation involves no expenditure of electric current; the parts are few and simple so that it is easily manufactured.

I claim:

The combination of a sign plate, a pivot rod. therefor, supporting means for said pivot rod, said pivot rod being bent at the end of said sign plate and extended along the side of said plate, and a finger on said sign plate gripping said pivot rod whereby said pivot rod is maintained in position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee,

in the county of Milwaukee and State of 30 Wisconsin.

CLARENCE L. MULDER. 

